Large Intestine

digestion · body systems · water absorption · waste

Absorbs Water. After your small intestine breaks down food, the large intestine's main job is to pull water and salts back out of the leftover material and into your bloodstream. This is super important because your body needs that water.

Wide Not Long. The large intestine is actually shorter than the small intestine, but it's called "large" because it's much wider in diameter, kind of like comparing a thick garden hose to a thin one.

Waste Storage. Once the large intestine finishes absorbing water, the remaining material (called feces) gets stored in a part called the rectum until your body is ready to get rid of it through defecation.

Helpful Bacteria Live Here. Trillions of friendly bacteria live in your large intestine and help break down leftover food that your small intestine couldn't digest completely.